Improvement in electrical and thermostatic fire-alarms and circuits therefor



2.Sheets--Sheet 1. .l. H. GU EST.

' Eleotricai and Thermostatic Fire-Alarms, and

Circuits Therefur.

No. 143,691. Patented Oct. 14,1873.

er Z 6 I l Witnesses: v 'lnvemor' 6%... zfl

Attorneys.

, 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

.i. H. GUEST.

Electrical and Thermostatic Fire-Alarms, and

Circuits Thgrefor.

No. 143,691. Patented Oct-14,1873.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

AM. PifOfU-L/THUG/MPH/C (a/V Y/USEORIVES mains;

PATENT @rrion JOHN H. GUEST, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRICAL AN D THERMOSTATIC FIRE-ALARMS AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 143,691, dated October 14, 1873; application filed September 1, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. GUnsT, of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have in-' vented a new and Improved Automatic Fire- Alarm and Arrangement of Circuits therefor, of which the following is a specification:

The object of this invention is to furnish a good and reliable instrinnent which shall automatically signal the danger of fire, not only to the inhabitants of a building, but also, if desired, to some central station or head-quarters, and which shall be capable of being combined with an ordinary closed-circuit telegraph line, without the intervention of any local or auxiliary batteries, and without interfering with the ordinary working of such line.

Heretofore, many methods of communicating intelligence of fire or'danger of fire have been devised and patented, of which the most common have been through a bell-battery and indicator, which were based on the open-current plan, and established the electric circuit whenever the heat reached a certain degree. Other methods of commimication are based on the closed-circuit plan, and connect a numberv of buildings to a central station or common headquarters, by interrupting the current and work ing a registering-instrument on the release of a clock train or other 'contrivances by the hand of the operator.

My plan combines the different systems in such a manner that the automatic action of the former methods and conveyance to a central station is combined, and therefore full protection, at any time of the day or night, be given against fire or undue heat. To this end my invention consists, first, in a novel combined signal-box and thermostat, for use upon a closed electric circuit; and, secondly, in the combination, with a closed electric or telegraph line, of one or a series of such boxes, or other suitable signaling devices, cap able of being used in such connection, all as more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my automatic circuit and bell-alarm; Fig. 2, a top view, partly in section, on line 0 C, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram, showing several such boxes in one main closed circuit leading to a central station.

In these figures, similar letters denote corresponding parts.

I will now describe the instrument shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and which I prefer to use in the system shown in Fig. 3 5 but I wish it to be understood that in such system I do not confine myself to such particular box, as any other automatic box operated by increase of temperature, and capable of being used in a closed circuit, may be substituted therefor.

A represents a bracketed shelf, to which the clock-train B,-of the usual construction, is at tached. G is a bell, which is attached above the clock-train. D is the hammer, the staff of which is connected to the shaft of the escapement a. E is the key, which is applied to the shaft of the mainspring, and serves for the double purpose of winding up the clock-train and holding the circuiting-wheel b in place. The circuiting-wheel I) is notched in such a manner that the building in danger is indicated, by the interruption of the circuit as registered, by means of a relay and register, in the usual manner, at the station. A spring, d, is connected, by a set-screw, c, and wire w to one pole of the circuit, while the clock-train isconnected by wire 10 to the other pole. The curved end of spring 02 passes along the periphery of the circuiting-wheel b, and keeps the circuit closed as long as the clock-train is at rest, interrupting the circuit when in motion by the action of the notches. Abent wire, 9, is applied to the stafi of the hammer, and rests against or hooks on the extension of the upper arm of a wire spring, F, which is applied by a set-screw, h, to an upright pillar, G, of shelf A. The forks or arms of the spring F clasp the alarm thermometer or indicator H, which consists of a bulb of glass or other frangible material, containing mercury, spirits, or other liquid expansible by heat. The lower end of thermometer H rests on an adjustable set-screw, t, by which the height of the thermometer and the continuous contact of the upper arm and wire g is secured, and thereby the clock-train held in check.

In Fig. 3 is shown a number of these boxes M N 0, connected in one closed main line with a central station or head-quarters, P. Each one of these boxes is supposed to be in a separate house, and, for purpose of explanation, to correspond with the instrument just described. At the central station I, the ordinary main batteries, receiving and other necessary apparatus, are located.

As long as all the springs cl of each instrument are in unbroken contact with the circuiting-wheels, a completely-closed circuit is established with the buildings connected and the station. If in any one of the buildings the thermometer should either burst or otherwise indicate the presence of fire or imdue heat so that the connection of the wire spring and clock-train is disturbed, the latter will immediately be set in motion, and communicate this fact not only to the occupants of the buildings by the ringing of the bell, but also to the station by the interruption of the circuit. I

If the instrument is used without electrical connection, the alarm will be given by the action of the bell, merely, forming thereby the cheapest instrument for indicating fire, and one which will always be in working order without requiring special care or attention.

As before stated, I do not confine myself to this precise box inthis connection, as others may be devised or used to carry this part of my invention into effect. In this application breakage of the bulb, and the consequent re-v lease of the detent.

2. The combination of the frangible thermostat H, detent-lever g, clock-train B, signalwheel 1), spring (I, and closed electric circuit w 19 as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, with aclosed telegraphic circuit, of one or more signaling apparatus, controlled by thermostatic or any suitable heat-indicating device.

J OHN H. GUEST.

Witnesses PAUL GoEPnL, O. SEDcrwIcK. 

